Genesis 10:8–9

Memory Verse

And Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one upon the earth. He was a hunter of mighty ones before the LORD, because of this it is said, “Like Nimrod, a hunter of mighty [men] before the LORD.”

When God brought Noah out of the ark, He instructed Noah on the rules of the household that he was to manage. One of these rules related to the murder of men. If a man kills another man, by men this man is to be put to death—Genesis 9:6. However, it only took two generations before men ceased to obey God’s instructions for the management of the household of Human Government.

“Mighty” is a noun that refers to men who are in authority—1 Chronicles 27:6. Thus, Nimrod, who was a ruler, did not hunt animals; rather, he hunted other men of authority. This is the beginning of the kingdoms of men. Although Nimrod should have faced death for slaying other men of authority, in committing such acts, he established the first kingdom of men in the land of Shinar, Babel—Genesis 10:10.